It`s All Their Fault!

[Knyght]

I have been told she is big :bum:
The wife took this pic of her.

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Fooled around with the camera and got this somewhat decent moonlight shot.

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Ran a water test today and came up with these numbers:
S.G. - 1.025
Amm. - trace...almost 0.0
Nitrite - undetectable
Nitrate - 50
Alk. - 2.52
KH - 7

I was told that baking soda would help my alk but I don`t know how to dose. I have read a bit on the Chemistry Forum but only got more confused.
Anyone out there care to chime in?

 

[weatherson]

If using Baking Soda, it will need to be baked first. Here you go...

http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

That should keep you busy for a while.

Joseph

 

[Knyght]

Thanks Joseph!

 

[asnatlas]

weatherson, why does the Baking Soda need be be baked first, I read over those links and I don't recall any of them saying anything about baking first ??

 

[melev]

It removes the CO2 in the product.

 

[weatherson]

Cooking the baking soda drives off moisture but more importantly, removes CO2. This way, it won't lower your pH when adding it to your tank. Here's an excerpt from Randy Homes-Farley's latest DIY 2-part calcium and alkalinity supplement system published in the latest RK magazine.

Spread baking soda (594 grams or about 2 Ã"šÃ‚¼ cups) on a baking tray and heat in an ordinary oven at 300Ã"šÃ‚°F for one hour to drive off water and carbon dioxide. Overheating is not a problem, either with higher temperatures or longer times. Dissolve the residual solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total. This dissolution may require a fair amount of mixing. Warming it speeds dissolution. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). I prefer to use baked baking soda rather than washing soda in this recipe as baking soda from a grocery store is always food grade, while washing soda may not have the same purity requirements. Arm & Hammer brand is a fine choice. Be sure to NOT use baking powder. Baking powder is a different material that often has phosphate as a main ingredient.

Joseph

 

[asnatlas]

Thanks melev and weatherson, I could have sworn I read something about baking it first but I could not remember where or why

 

[WaterKeeper]

Baking it first changes the bicarbonate to the carbonate. With bicarb the pH is only 8.3 or slightly lower. Carbonate has a pH of over 10. If you are just looking to raise alkalinity without increasing pH use the plain baking soda. Otherwise bake it about 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. That will raise pH and alkalinity when added.

 

[Knyght]

Thanks Tom,
My ph stays steady at 8.0 so it could stand to be raised. It`s good to know that info.

I appreciate the help that all of you give me.

 

[WaterKeeper]

I'm actually a lobbyist for the "Bake the Baking Soda" lobby in real life.

 

[Knyght]

Just thought I would toss up a quick update.

The Bowfront is up and running after a few years hiatus. In fact I set it up and filled it with water so it would be running for Christmas 2010 lol.

Not much in it so far. Taking things way slower this time. Will post a few pics when I get time.